Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) - What They Do

Electricians (except industrial and power system) lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices and related equipment in buildings and other structures. They are employed by electrical contractors and maintenance departments of buildings and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Read and interpret drawings, circuit diagrams and electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts for new or existing installations
Pull wire through conduits and through holes in walls and floors
Install brackets and hangers to support electrical equipment
Install, replace and repair lighting fixtures and electrical control and distribution equipment, such as switches, relays and circuit breaker panels
Splice, join and connect wire to fixtures and components to form circuits
Test continuity of circuits using test equipment to ensure compatibility and safety of system, following installation, replacement or repair
Troubleshoot and isolate faults in electrical and electronic systems and remove and replace faulty components
Connect electrical power to audio and visual communication equipment, signalling devices and heating and cooling systems
Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.

Job titles

apprentice electrician
construction electrician apprentice
construction electrician
domestic and rural electrician
electrician

Employment Requirements

This is what you typically need for the job:

Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program is usually required.
Trade certification for construction electricians is compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Trade certification for electricians (domestic and rural) is compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario.
Trade certification for electrical control (machine) builders is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified construction electricians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Essential Skills

Reading

Read instructions and warnings written on signs, labels and packaging, e.g. read labels on electrical panels to learn about electrical shock hazards. (1)
Read text entries on forms and technical drawings, e.g. read comments on technical drawings to learn about changes to the placement of light fixtures. (1)
Read notices and bulletins, e.g. read notices from workers' compensation boards to learn about workplace hazards and incidents. (2)
Read a variety of instructions and procedures, e.g. read step-by-step instructions for the installation of light fixtures and electric heaters. (2)
Read safety related information, e.g. read safety rules and regulations governing fall protection and other hazards. (3)
Read trade journals, brochures and website articles to learn about new products and stay up-to-date on new technology. (3)
Read a variety of manuals to learn how to lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical installations, such as high voltage systems and power distribution centres. (3)
Read and interpret electrical codes, standards and regulations, e.g. read codes issued by regulatory committees, associations, safety code councils and municipal and provincial governments to learn how to complete electrical installations and repairs. (4)

Document use

Read labels on product packaging, equipment, drawings and panels to locate specifications, voltages, safety information and identification numbers. (1)
View meters and digital readouts, e.g. scan electrical readings to determine the operating conditions of electrical apparatuses, such as variable frequency drives. (1)
Study checklists, e.g. study worksite procedure checklists to locate emergency contact information, voltages and other information about conditions that are unique to individual work sites. (2)
Complete a variety of forms, e.g. enter data, such as dates, identification numbers, times, specifications and costs, to complete work orders and permits. (3)
Locate data, such as specifications, classifications and material coefficients, in complex tables, e.g. interpret Canadian Electrical Code specification tables to locate the size of wire needed in relation to the length of runs and the draws of electrical fixtures. (3)
Study a variety of mechanical and architectural drawings, e.g. study drawings to plan the placement of equipment and the routing of electrical and control wiring. (4)
Study complex schematic drawings, e.g. study wiring schematics for details about circuits, capacities, flows and the location of electrical fixtures to install, assemble and repair electrical installations. (4)

Writing

Write short comments in log books and journals, e.g. write short comments in journals to record why tasks were not completed. (1)
Write longer texts in forms, e.g. write details about installations in change orders. (2)
May write reports to describe events leading up to workplace accidents, e.g. write about injuries and events when completing reports for workers' compensation boards. (2)
May write detailed descriptions of installation and repair procedures. (3)

Numeracy

Take a variety of measurements using basic tools, e.g. measure distances between electrical boxes and floors. (1)
Compare measurements of energy, dimensions, speed, temperature and torque to specifications, e.g. compare electrical readings to standard or required specifications found in operating and installation manuals. (1)
Compare production statistics to targets to determine adherence to schedules and timelines. (1)
May calculate expense claims by totaling the costs for meals, accommodation and travel. (2)
Schedule the completion of tasks by considering project scopes, deadlines, lead times and the availability of labour and parts. (2)
Calculate electrical requirements, e.g. calculate current flows, resistances and voltages to select transformers and troubleshoot their faults. (2)
Calculate summary measures, e.g. calculate the average amount of power required for commercial buildings. (2)
Estimate times and materials required for projects, e.g. consider project scopes and the times and materials needed for similar projects in the past. (2)
May calculate amounts for estimates and invoices. They multiply hours worked by labour rates and add amounts for parts, materials, supplies and applicable taxes. (3)
Take precise measurements using specialized measuring instruments, e.g. use calipers to measure the inside and outside diameters of connectors. (3)
Analyze multiple energy readings to evaluate electrical system functions and troubleshoot faults, e.g. use electrical measurements at several points in the circuit to analyze circuit operation. (3)
Calculate offsets, e.g. use vectors and trigonometric constants to calculate saddles and angles of non-standard bends. (4)

Oral communication

Speak to suppliers to learn about products, prices and delivery schedules. (1)
May use two-way radios to communicate with workers at different worksite locations. (1)
Exchange information with co-workers and other tradespeople, e.g. talk with co-workers about project requirements and with other tradespeople, such as plumbers, to coordinate activities and schedules. (2)
Talk to safety and building inspectors about regulations and items that may not be in compliance with code. (2)
Participate in meetings, e.g. discuss safety issues and procedures during crew meetings. (2)
Speak with customers to learn about equipment faults, explain procedures, answer questions and address complaints, e.g. explain how electrical permits are obtained. (3)
Exchange technical repair and troubleshooting information with apprentices, co-workers, colleagues and manufacturers, e.g. discuss electrical fault troubleshooting strategies with apprentices. (3)
Interact with co-workers regarding critical safety issues, e.g. exchange opinions about the best ways to perform dangerous tasks when completing complex installations. (3)
Exchange information with engineers, owners, architects, inspectors and other trades to ensure that work can meet scheduling and code requirements. (3)

Thinking

Encounter technical drawings with missing specifications and errors. They report the missing specifications and errors to customers and supervisors and complete other tasks until the missing information is acquired and errors are corrected. (1)
Decide order of tasks and their priorities, e.g. decide which electrical installations to complete first. (1)
Encounter obstacles to the installation of equipment and the routing of wires and cables. They search for alternative routes and review scale drawings. (2)
Are unable to meet deadlines due to heavy workloads. They organize job tasks by priority, enlist the help of co-workers and work overtime. (2)
Choose methods and materials for projects. They consider project specifications, electrical codes, costs and the availability of parts and supplies. (2)
May set fees for services, such as installations, repairs and inspections. They consider the services to be performed, fees charged by competing electricians and factors, such as market demand and the size of their existing customer base. (2)
Evaluate the safety of work sites. They observe elements, such as available space to manoeuvre around construction sites, the presence of guardrails and the availability of safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers. They take note of other potential hazards, such as improperly stored tools, broken equipment and confined spaces. (2)
May evaluate the performance of apprentices. They consider apprentices' abilities to complete electrical installations and diagnose and troubleshoot faults. (2)
Locate project specifications by referring to technical drawings and the Canadian Electrical Code book and by speaking with customers, other tradespeople and supervisors. (2)
Refer to brochures and search Internet sites for information about new products or techniques. (2)
Learn about safe work practices by attending safety meetings and by reading safety manuals and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) materials. (2)
Face disruptions of work schedules, timelines and budgets when specifications are changed after projects have already started. They assist in the development of new specifications and perform other work until the projects are restarted. (3)
May select equipment and suppliers, e.g. decide which brand and type of equipment to use on projects by considering specifications, costs, ease of use and personal preferences. (3)
Evaluate the quality of their work. They compare measurements and electrical readings to specifications and physically inspect elements, such as wiring, panels and junction boxes. (3)
Evaluate the performance of electrical installations and systems. They compare data readings to normal ranges and manufacturers' specifications. They evaluate the condition of equipment for signs of defects, such as unusual vibrations, odours and energy readings. (3)
Plan and organize their workday to complete work assignments. If they have to wire an area, they need to plan where to begin, i.e. either with the wiring first or installing the boxes or plugs. They plan efficient use of resources so they have the necessary materials delivered and available on time to complete the job. This involves making as few trips as possible from the job to the service truck for tools and materials. (3)
Plan efficient work methods, when tasks are repetitive, such as making a jig to produce multiples quickly. Because larger projects involve other trades, they may have to revise their work plans to integrate them with the work plans of others. (3)
Learn how to troubleshoot and repair difficult electrical faults by reading manuals, studying electrical schematics, accessing information on web forums and blogs and by speaking with co-workers, other tradespeople, electrical engineers and manufacturers. (3)

Digital technology

May use calculators and personal digital assistant (PDA) devices to complete numeracy-related tasks, such as calculating material requirements. (1)
Use hand-held electronic devices like oscilloscopes and multimeters to locate operational data, such as electrical readings. (1)
May use word processing software to write letters to customers, prepare job estimates and generate invoices. (2)
May use spreadsheet software to track inventory and tally costs for job estimates and invoices. (2)
May use billing and accounting software to produce invoices and estimates and print reports, such as income and expense statements. (2)
May use communication software to exchange email with customers, suppliers and help desk technicians. (2)
May use the Internet to access training courses and seminars offered by training institutions, unions, suppliers, associations and employers. (2)
Use Internet browsers and search engines to access technical service bulletins, electrical codes, specifications and troubleshooting guides. (2)
May access online articles posted by suppliers, manufacturers and associations to stay current on industry trends and practices. (2)
May use the Internet to access and share information on industry related web forums and blogs. (2)
May install and service heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) control systems. (3)
May install and service programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to control the speed and output of machinery. (3)

Other Essential Skills:

Working with Others

Depending on the situation, construction electricians work with a co-worker or in a team of construction electricians assigned to complete installations in a particular area. Large construction sites involve the services of several other building trades. Conflicting priorities occur; however, all have a stake in working safely and efficiently. Construction electricians work primarily with other construction electricians but may also interact with a wide variety of workers including apprentices, supervisors, owners' representatives, architects, engineers, inspectors and suppliers.

Continuous Learning

Because the electrical code is updated regularly, construction electricians are expected to continue to learn and become familiar with changing code requirements. They must also keep up-to-date with changes in technology, such as computer controls or programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Also, fibre optics and data cables are becoming more widely used and trained installers are in demand. Construction electricians enroll in scheduled classes offered by the union, employers, wholesalers, manufacturers or distributors and may also take continuing education classes at their own expense. Some written material is available for self-study.